The Beatitudes

What I See I Am Lord's Prayer
23rd Psalm The Beatitudes

EXAMINING THE BEATITUDES Matthew 5: 1 - 12

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Beatitudes: - beatus (Latin) made happy -

Harpers Bible Dictionary: "A clear cut statement of the blessedness of those possessing certain virtues of experiences." It continues, it is generally held that these are the quality of character which he (Jesus) expected of his followers.

Halley Bible Handbook: states "glorious rewards of the future."

Barclay: states the Beatitudes say blessed "are", a congratulations of what is not pious hopes of what shall be; not prophecies of some future bliss (page 88). He goes on to state "They are a triumphant shouts of bliss for a permanent joy that nothing in the world can ever take away." "In face of the beatitude a gloom-encompassed Christianity is unthink-

able." "In Christianity there is a godlike joy."(pg. 89)

Sermon on the Mount: (Fox) "...a general summary of the whole Christian teaching." “Jesus concerned him self exclusively with teaching general principles, and these always had to do with mental states, ... if mental states are right, everything else must be right."

Discussion: What are the Beatitudes???

Softer Rules for living??? - Words of encouragement??? - Contradictions??? - Good rewards for states of suffering or feelings which a person would not normally strive for??? -

Having company in depression???

What do the Beatitudes say; Blessed are... for theirs is...

"are" now, present not future or a promise.

“is" now, a current state of being not prophesy or procedure.

Beatitudes describe a state of being. Not a bonus or an award.

1) Blessed are (now) the poor in spirit for theirs (more than one) is (absolute) the kingdom of heaven.

“poor in spirit": - no need to recognize self because of absolute trust in God??? Would you rather lead a horse that had absolute trust in you (poor in spirit) or one which is very hyper, wants to go its own way and keeps pulling you from your designated path.

(spirited). (Barclay) refers to poor as having no earthly resources. It doesn't say "poor in earthly resources." it states "poor in spirit". (Fox) states "to be poor in spirit means to have emptied yourself of all desire to exercise personal self-will ..."

(Fox) refers to the story of the Rich Young Man as one of the "saddest passages of all literature." He states this is the story of mankind, we reject the salvation that Jesus offers us, because we "have great possessions" (Rich Young Man) not in terms of money, but in our preconceived ideas, confidence in our own judgments, spiritual pride, sentimental or material attachment to institutions, habits of life, fear of public ridicule, vested interest worldly honor. These are possession of spirit or rich in spirit.

"kingdom of heaven" when you are in the kingdom of heaven is it a place or a state of being? Is it a state of being of an absolute oneness with God?

(Fox) Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven, Luke 17: 20/21 "The kingdom of heaven is within you." A state which already exists for you.

Relationships: The Beatitudes talk of relationships, - you to others??? - you to self??? - you to Jesus??? - you to God???

Bible: What is it saying? Suggestions?? Promises?? Stories?? God's word?? Law??

What are statements attributed to God: Suggestions?? Promises?? Stories?? Law??

Statements attributed to Jesus: Suggestions?? Promises?? Stories?? God's word?? Law??

What I see I Am

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